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posted by mrpg on Monday July 19 2021, @04:14AM   Printer-friendly
from the 35°C-TW dept.

How hot is too hot for the human body?:

Some climate models predict that we're going to start hitting wet-bulb temperatures over 95 °F by the middle of the 21st century. Other researchers say we're already there. In a study published in 2020, researchers showed that some places in the subtropics have already reported such conditions—and they're getting more common.

While most researchers agree that a wet-bulb temperature of 95 °F is unlivable for most humans, the reality is that less extreme conditions can be deadly too. We've only hit those wet-bulb temperatures on Earth a few times, but heat kills people around the world every year.

[...] Heat acclimatization builds up over time: It can start in as little as a few days, and the whole process can take six weeks or longer, Hanna says. People who are more acclimatized to heat sweat more, and their sweat is more diluted, meaning they lose fewer electrolytes through their sweat. This can protect the body from dehydration and heart and kidney problems, Hanna says.

Acclimatization is why heat waves in cooler places, or heat waves early in summer, are more likely to be deadly than the same conditions in hotter places or later in summer. It's not just that places like Canada and Seattle are less likely to have air conditioning, although infrastructure is another big factor in how deadly heat waves will be. Residents of cooler places are also just less acclimatized to the heat, so wet-bulb temperatures below 95 °F can be deadly.

Wet-bulb temperature


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  • (Score: 5, Informative) by Tokolosh on Monday July 19 2021, @07:04PM

    by Tokolosh (585) on Monday July 19 2021, @07:04PM (#1157979)

    In tropical climes there are certain times of day
    When all the citizens retire
    To take their clothes off and perspire
    It's one of those rules the greatest fools obey
    Because the sun is far too sultry
    And one must avoid its ultry-violet ray

    The natives grieve when the white men leave their huts
    Because they're obviously, definitely nuts!

    Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun
    The Japanese don't care to
    The Chinese wouldn't dare to
    Hindus and Argentines sleep firmly from twelve 'til one
    But Englishmen detest a siesta

    In the Philippines they have lovely screens
    To protect you from the glare
    In the Malay States there are hats like plates
    Which the Britishers won't wear
    At twelve noon the natives swoon
    And no further work is done
    But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun

    It's such a surprise
    For the Eastern eyes to see
    That though the English are effete
    They're quite impervious to heat
    When the white man rides
    Every native hides in glee
    Because the simple creatures hope he will impale his sola topee
    On a tree
    It seems such a shame
    When the English claim the Earth
    That they give rise to such hilarity and mirth

    Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha
    Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho-ho
    He-he-he-he-he-he-he
    Hm-hm-hm-hm-hm

    Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun
    The toughest Burmese bandit can never understand it
    In Rangoon, the heat of noon
    Is just what the natives shun
    They put their Scotch or rye down and lie down

    In a jungle town where the sun beats down
    To the rage of man and beast
    The English garb of the English sahib
    Merely gets a bit more creased
    In Bangkok at twelve o'clock
    They foam at the mouth and run
    But mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun

    Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun
    The smallest Malay rabbit deplores this foolish habit
    In Hong Kong they strike a gong
    And fire off a Noonday Gun
    To reprimand each inmate who's in late
    In the mangrove swamps where the python romps
    There is peace from twelve to two
    Even caribou lie around and snooze
    For there's nothing else to do
    In Bengal to move at all
    Is seldom if ever done
    But mad dogs and Englishmen go
    Out in the midday
    Out in the midday
    Out in the midday
    Out in the midday
    Out in the midday
    Out in the midday
    Out in the midday sun

    Mad Dogs And Englishmen
    Noël Coward

    Starting Score:    1  point
    Moderation   +3  
       Insightful=1, Informative=2, Total=3
    Extra 'Informative' Modifier   0  
    Karma-Bonus Modifier   +1  

    Total Score:   5